A centuries-old memory comes to Agyen, hopefully in time to aid the group.
He steps back from the skeleton mass, and while summoning energies, shouts:
"The vampire spawn lusts for blood and control, the wights for your life essence!"
And with that, he unleashes those energies on the undead trio.
Ammonis pulls out a small scroll and reads it summoning a wolverine. Step back into the hut!
Fey slips into the air and casts a greasy spell.
Agyen's words quicken Rurik's pulse, and he sights down his next feathered shaft at the foe in question. Calling down a bane upon the vampire spawn, he mutters a quick prayer to whichever god might be listening, and looses!
The other dwarves drop their crossbows, retrieving their warhammers and squeezing in near Agyen.
hit
hit
no
hit
Fenris twirls his urgrosh, beheading a skeleton as well.
Agyen withdraws to the hut in swift order.
Iyon hurls another chakram at the fanged figure "Such weak magics will not do wretch." "Come test your mettle against me or you'll find my metal soon testing you once more." Iyon taunted the fanged fiend while moving away, drawing his greenwood tetsubo as he moved. He should use the mace against the skeletons he knew but his confidence was bolstered by his more favoured weapons... against the mind warping powers before him he would have need of the reassurance. His speed magically enhanced by his boots he takes a long route charging through the magical tent and moves to defend Ammonis.
Ulave shouts out the last words of his old master. ”The night is dark, but the light shall prevail!” Ulave stomps his feet, and a million glittering butterflies erupt from the earth to consume the undead.
pass
fail
pass
The power of Ulave’s Lady eradicates the skeletons in a wave and burns away at the bones of the vampire and others, though these stronger creatures remain.
A centuries-old memory comes to Agyen, hopefully in time to aid the group. He steps back from the skeleton mass, and while summoning energies, shouts: "The vampire spawn lusts for blood and control, the wights for your life essence!" And with that, he unleashes those energies on the undead trio.
fail
fail
A pulse of positive energy erupts among the vampire and its ilk, burning them with a bright blue flame.
Ammonis pulls out a small scroll and reads it summoning a wolverine. ”Step back into the hut!” Fey slips into the air and casts a greasy spell.
The sole skeleton caught in the spell slips and falls in the muck, unable to move.
Agyen's words quicken Rurik's pulse, and he sights down his next feathered shaft at the foe in question. Calling down a bane upon the vampire spawn, he mutters a quick prayer to whichever god might be listening, and looses!
The vampire bares its fangs in suffering. Even so, its wounds begin to spontaneously close. As they do, the night mist rises up around the creature and seems to consume it as it disappears from view.
It’s protectors, the skeletons, and remaining undead surge forward into the camp!
Suddenly, from the west, a blood-chilling shriek rends the air. Through the night gloom, those whose eyes are capable of piercing the dark spot what might be a cloud of bats, ten in number. As they draw nearer, however, the horrible truth becomes clear. These creatures are blackened, bat-winged fiend’s heads with tentacles that dangle from chin and scalp. As they close in, their fanged maws hang agape.
___________________________
Round 4 Initiative (bold may act):
PCs
Undead horde
Bat-like tentacle monsters
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Iyon: 66/67
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
Agyen strikes at a skeleton as it stomps past him.
He instantly recognises the flying foes.
"Vargouilles! Fiendish scavengers! When they swarm, they distract with bites and paralytic shrieks!"
He withdraws to the hut, eager to not be caught in the open against such enemies.
Iyon makes a few quick swings before stepping back into the magical hut.
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Long ago, on the darkest of his nights, his soul had been lifted up from the bondage of undeath by his lady's song. It had begun like a whisper stretched thin across time, a tingling in the black solid mass of his static consciousness, ice slowly melting in the warm glow of Spring's sunshine. Drip. Drip. His thoughts ran down the hillside, a trickling stream that joined to a mighty river tumbling into the darkness of the night sky.
When he had finally opened his eyes, he only saw a wrinkly old man in a simple garment of sheep's wool, staring at him with hard discerning eyes.
You, boy, have much to learn, if you are to serve. Do you wish to?
To weak to speak, he had only nodded his head. He would serve.
I serve.
Ulave whispers these words into his cupped hands to the sound of a thunder clap.
Expending 2 lay on hands (4 remaining) to channel energy.
Damage should be: 4d6 in a 30 foot radius
Will Save to half damage: DC = 10 + 3 + 5 = 18
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As the dead breach the wall and begin to claw and clamber about him, Rurik clenches his jaw and fights the nigh overwhelming urge to race toward the hut.
Instead, he takes a measured step away from the vampire spawn before him(), and summons from deep within his soul a shard of sunlight, a spar of gilded light so intense it blinds those who look upon it.
For but a brief moment his hand coruscates as if dipped in divine fire, and then he hurls the bolt with a wordless cry and the strongest looking spawn, gasping with the effort of it.
Agyen strikes at the skeleton as it moves past him, but his jab flies awry. He instantly recognises the flying foes. "Vargouilles! Fiendish scavengers! When they swarm, they distract with bites and paralytic shrieks!" He withdraws to the hut, eager to not be caught in the open against such enemies.
Iyon makes a few quick swings before stepping back into the magical hut.
Long ago, on the darkest of his nights, his soul had been lifted up from the bondage of undeath by his lady's song. It had begun like a whisper stretched thin across time, a tingling in the black solid mass of his static consciousness, ice slowly melting in the warm glow of Spring's sunshine. Drip. Drip. His thoughts ran down the hillside, a trickling stream that joined to a mighty river tumbling into the darkness of the night sky. When he had finally opened his eyes, he only saw a wrinkly old man in a simple garment of sheep's wool, staring at him with hard discerning eyes. ”You, boy, have much to learn, if you are to serve. Do you wish to?” Too weak to speak, he had only nodded his head. He would serve. ”I serve.” Ulave whispers these words into his cupped hands to the sound of a thunder clap.
fail
pass
As the dead breach the wall and begin to claw and clamber about him, Rurik clenches his jaw and fights the nigh overwhelming urge to race toward the hut. Instead, he takes a measured step away from the vampire spawn before him, and summons from deep within his soul a shard of sunlight, a spar of gilded light so intense it blinds those who look upon it. For but a brief moment his hand coruscates as if dipped in divine fire, and then he hurls the bolt with a wordless cry and the strongest looking spawn, gasping with the effort of it.
The dwarves lift their hammers and smash the undead!
The last two undead drag themselves up the hill to enter the camp.
The ghastly screaming grows more intense as the vargouilles draw nearer .
Watching Agyen, Ammonis, and Iyon retreat in the face of the of the vargouille, the dwarves despair. ”Ye cannae be serioos?” asks Romni. Thulbine growls. ”Yoo're gonnae flee int' ye wee hut an' lae us tae barnie these things aloyn?”
___________________________
Round 5 Initiative (bold may act):
PCs / dwarves
Undead horde
Vargouilles
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Iyon: 66/67
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
Iyon steps out of the tent. "Lets chawk it down to drawing them in!" He swings at the two cadavers near the hut hoping to put them down.
Ulave begins climbing up the slope to join his comrades. He is pleased to see Lyon connect two mighty blows to the creatures.
He may strike them down, but they will stand themselves up soon enough.
You dwarvish fools. Conceal yourselves in the magic hut, quickly!
Upon reaching the top, Ulave quickly lets loose his attack upon the wight.
1st Attack : +7 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow +1 point blank - 2 ManyShot = +13
1st Attack Arrow 1 Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage + 1 point blank + 1 undeadslayer
1st Attack Arrow 2 Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage + 1 point blank + 1 undeadslayer
Rapid Attack: +7 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow - 2 ManyShot + 1 point blank = +13
Rapid Attack Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage + 1 point blank + 1 undead slayer
Agyen shouts to the dwarves as he taps Iyon's weapon.
"Make your stand in the hut! I can strengthen your hammers against the vargouilles - their kiss makes for a gruesome end!"
The celestial wolverine appears beside Ammonis, and seeing undead thing beside Lyon, it flew at it all claws and gnashes.
The Thane lets out an out-of-place laugh at the black-armoured knight. "Hut or nae hut, only a pillock would start arguing right noo!", he thunderously retorts at Thulbine, before pulling out a flask from his belt. Raising it victoriously, he shouts. "Tae Kroma! Tae Clan Stoneheart!" Quaffing it in a single swig, he smashes the empty vial against his forehead, then lets out a furious roar.
Seeing the approaching horde of vargouilles, Rurik sends a mental command to both archons, bidding them teleport themselves directly before the horrors in a bid to buy his friends more time.
That done, he turns his attention to the last of the vampire spawn, and once again extends his hand, summoning from deep within his soul another spark of the sun.
Ammonis frowns. He wants to help his friends, but he'd only a few spells left. If this was the worst he saw this dark night, Ammonis would be surprised. Better save his resources. He'd remain where he was, and fight defensively if he must. But he needed more information.
Fey.. Fly up and tell me what you can see. Careful girl.
Fey..refuses.
oh yes, those vargouilles
Iyon steps out of the tent. "Lets chawk it down to drawing them in!" He swings at the two cadavers near the hut hoping to put them down. Both succumb to his powerful swings and crash to the ground, lifeless once more.
Ulave begins climbing up the slope to join his comrades. He is pleased to see Lyon connect two mighty blows to the creatures. He may strike them down, but they will stand themselves up soon enough. ”You dwarvish fools. Conceal yourselves in the magic hut, quickly!”
Upon reaching the top, Ulave quickly lets loose his attack upon the wight.
Agyen shouts to the dwarves as he taps Iyon's weapon. "Make your stand in the hut! I can strengthen your hammers against the vargouilles - their kiss makes for a gruesome end!"
The celestial wolverine appears beside Ammonis, but there are no more undead targets atop the hill.
The Thane lets out an out-of-place laugh at the black-armoured knight. "Hut or nae hut, only a pillock would start arguing right noo!", he thunderously retorts at Thulbine, before pulling out a flask from his belt. Raising it victoriously, he shouts. "Tae Kroma! Tae Clan Stoneheart!" Quaffing it in a single swig, he smashes the empty vial against his forehead, then lets out a furious roar.
Seeing the approaching horde of vargouilles, Rurik summons forth lantern archons.
Ammonis frowns. He wants to help his friends, but he'd only a few spells left. If this was the worst he saw this dark night, Ammonis would be surprised. Better save his resources. He'd remain where he was, and fight defensively if he must. But he needed more information. ”Fey.. Fly up and tell me what you can see. Careful girl. “ Fey..refuses. ”Oh yes, those vargouilles…”
The dwarves run for the hut, but it’s immediately apparent that not everyone will fit inside…
The vargouilles draw closer, now close enough that those with darkvision can clearly make out their gruesome features. The vargouille at the head of the formation distends its mouth open to unleash a bone-chilling scream.
fail!
Bereg’s weathered face twists in terror as his muscles freeze and his body becomes as still as stone.
___________________________
Round 6 Initiative (bold may act):
PCs / dwarves
Vargouilles
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Iyon: 66/67
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
Gritting his teeth, Ulave ignores the grating cries of the vargouilles. Stepping foreward, clicks his heels, and watches as the world slows down around him. He aims and lets loose his arrows at the two closest monstrosities.
1st Attack : +7 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow - 2 ManyShot + 1 haste = +13
1st Attack Arrow 1 Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage
1st Attack Arrow 2 Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage
Rapid Attack: +7 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow - 2 ManyShot + 1 haste= +13
Rapid Attack Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage
2cd Attack: +2 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow -2 ManyShot +1 haste = +8
2cd Attack Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage
1st Attack : +7 BAB + 5 Dex + 1 Size + 1 Bow - 2 ManyShot + 1 haste = +13
1st Attack Arrow 1 Damage: 1d6 arrow + 1 Bow + 1d6 firedamage
"Bring Bereg in tha hut!", the Thane shouts, raising his crossbow one last time to let out a bolt. He lets out a bolt at the leading vargoillee. The bolt strikes true, lodging itself in the beast's torso, as the Thane lets out a grim laugh.
He then glances at the hut, seemingly too small for everyone...Oh, Kroma..., a thought passes through the dwarf's head, as he runs towards the hut to stand beside it. Hurling the crossbow to his feet and drawing his ugrosh, he glances towards his comrades. "Those o' ya who want tae see the white o' their eyes 'fore ye tear out their hearts, stand beside me!", he roars, drawing his ugrosh and pointing it at the vargoilles. "Rest a' ye, reload inside, then leave and fire!"
Agyen shrugs off the effect and looks to use some of his own magics.
Archon's Aura
Bless
Magic Vestment (from first fight - seven hour total duration)
Fey jumps up on Ammonis' shoulder, and begins casting a sleepy spell.
Fey then hides in Ammoni's pockets.
With a peremptory mental command, Rurik sends his archons flashing across the intervening space to appear before the vargouilles, hopefully stopping their approach for a few crucial moments even as they lash out with their rays.
In turn, he draws his bow, sighs down the length of his arrow, and after calling down his bane upon the flying horrors, releases.
Gritting his teeth, Ulave ignores the grating cries of the vargouilles. Stepping foreward, clicks his heels, and watches as the world slows down around him. He aims and lets loose his arrows at the two closest monstrosities.
"Bring Bereg in tha hut!", the Thane shouts, raising his crossbow one last time to let out a bolt. He lets out a bolt at the leading vargoillee. The bolt strikes true, lodging itself in the beast's torso, as the Thane lets out a grim laugh. He then glances at the hut, seemingly too small for everyone...Oh, Kroma..., a thought passes through the dwarf's head, as he runs towards the hut to stand beside it. Hurling the crossbow to his feet and drawing his ugrosh, he glances towards his comrades. "Those o' ya who want tae see the white o' their eyes 'fore ye tear out their hearts, stand beside me!", he roars, drawing his ugrosh and pointing it at the vargoilles. "Rest a' ye, reload inside, then leave and fire!"
Agyen shrugs off the effect and looks to use some of his own magics. He casts align weapon on Glomi’s hammer.
Fey jumps up on Ammonis' shoulder, and begins casting a sleepy spell before hiding in his pocket.
pass
With a peremptory mental command, Rurik sends his archons flashing across the intervening space to appear before the vargouilles, hopefully stopping their approach for a few crucial moments even as they lash out with their rays. In turn, he draws his bow, sighs down the length of his arrow, and after calling down his bane upon the flying horrors, releases.
pass
fail!
Iyon freezes like a statue, his tetsubo poised to strike.
Kargesh and Romin tip Bereg onto his side and heft him toward the tiny hut. The remaining dwarves, now accustomed to the horrid screams, form a line and prepare to hammer the creatures if they draw near.
The vargouilles close in, but before swooping down they shriek again, trying to soften their meal.
___________________________
Round 7 Initiative (bold may act):
PCs / dwarves
Vargouilles
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Fenris: 89/99
Iyon: 66/67, paralyzed!
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
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Rurik grits his teeth at the horrific screeching, but shrugs off the worst of the cries' effect and stalks forward, roaring at them all the while.
"You think it fit and proper for a bunch of headless pieces of corpse garbage as yourselves to come swooping at us in such manner, shrieking like brats' whose toys have been taking from them? You're fit for nothing better than target practice, you suppurating, bloviating bags of whey-faced trash! I'll grind each and every one of you beneath my heel, then throw out my boot for good measure!"
Having no way to free Iyon, Agyen strengthens his spear further.
Do not think that we will quail before thy unworldly visage! Ulave shouts, relieved at the resilience of his companions. Ulave quickly sends three arrows at what he judged were the three most injured creatures.
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Fey, why don't you touch Lyon with that wand of yours, Protection from Evil? Fey flies over to Lyon and touches him on the shoulder with the wand, looking over her rainbowed shoulder at the flying mouth monsters.
Iyon focuses on the task at hand rather than the dreadful piercing noise. "My thanks. Now time to cut their numbers down!" He moves over beside Ammonis to allow the mage the room to pull back.
Leaping past Rurik, the Thane brings his ugrosh to bear against the vargouille he'd wounded before. "Fire, brothers!", he roars as the weapon's heavy head crashes into the beast.
Rurik grits his teeth at the horrific screeching, but shrugs off the worst of the cries' effect and stalks forward, roaring at them all the while. "You think it fit and proper for a bunch of headless pieces of corpse garbage as yourselves to come swooping at us in such manner, shrieking like brats' whose toys have been taking from them? You're fit for nothing better than target practice, you suppurating, bloviating bags of whey-faced trash! I'll grind each and every one of you beneath my heel, then throw out my boot for good measure!"
Rurik’s heated tirade literally sets the vargouilles ablaze! His archons fire light rays from behind the vargouilles, taking one down and further injuring another!
Having no way to free Iyon, Agyen strengthens his spear further.
”Do not think that we will quail before thy unworldly visage!” Ulave shouts, relieved at the resilience of his companions. Ulave quickly sends three arrows at what he judged were the three most injured creatures. His first arrow takes out one, and two subsequent arrows drop another!
”Fey, why don't you touch Lyon with that wand of yours, Protection from Evil?” Fey flies over to Lyon and touches him on the shoulder with the wand, looking over her rainbowed shoulder at the flying mouth monsters.
Iyon lingers in paralysis.
Leaping past Rurik, the Thane brings his ugrosh to bear against the vargouille he'd wounded before. "Fire, brothers!", he roars as the weapon's heavy head crashes into the beast, killing it.
With Kargesh and Romni tending to Bereg, the remaining dwarves tip their warhammers back and go for the kill!
hit
hit
hit
hit
The very last vargouille, its brethren burned and crushed, delicately flutters down to Iyon. It puckers its cracked lips, prepared to deliver the softest, most dreaded of kisses...
...and misses. It is quickly crushed beneath a litany of hammers and curses. A few moments later, Bereg and Iyon find themselves able to move again.
___________________________
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Fenris: 89/99
Iyon: 66/67
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
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The Thane lifts his mighty weapon from the vargoille's body, watching the wicked bodies smouldering on the ground. "A graet fight!", the dwarf roars, extending an armoured hand to the knight in black armour, pulling him up. "I dunnae ken what fickle fates brought ye tae us, but ken this.", he turns towards the party. "While a Stoneheart draws breath, ye'll always have a friend fer life."
He glances down at the digs, now littered with the bones of the undead, and curls his fist victoriously. "And when we find tha remains o' oor Kin', yer names will be known tae all our hearth." Sheathing his weapon, he goes to rejoin his clansmen.
Ulave raises his hand. It was only my duty, but thank you. However, I fear that the dead will not rest at any time this night. Indeed, I am compelled to ask you; have you hallowed the graves of your twenty-one companions slain and buried over yonder? What will keep them at rest on such a night?
I am sworn to destroy the undead wherever I find them. However, I fear that our defenses have only been tested, our spells and will exhausted. I fear defeat, lest we depart and flee this place.
Hopefully it will rain the next time the skeletons are out.
Gorrak tends to his men and checks you for wounds as well, though everyone seems to have faired the battle fairly well.
Ulave raises his hand. It was only my duty, but thank you. However, I fear that the dead will not rest at any time this night. Indeed, I am compelled to ask you; have you hallowed the graves of your twenty-one companions slain and buried over yonder? What will keep them at rest on such a night?
The wisened cleric scoffs. "Uir brothers hae rested peacefully. Dwarves ur made ay sterner stuff, ye know. they wooldnae rise against their ain bluid!"
I am sworn to destroy the undead wherever I find them. However, I fear that our defenses have only been tested, our spells and will exhausted. I fear defeat, lest we depart and flee this place.
"Ah cannae teel ye whit tae dae. but arenae ye safer haur in th' camp than wanderin' ben th' mirk waste?"
Rurik sags in relief once the last of the foes are dead.
"I'm for camping here for the remainder of the night. Gorrak is right - we'd not get for in this darkness unless we wish to simply march till dawn, and then the odds of our running afoul of some new monster without the benefit of defenses or fellow dwarves would be too high. Let's rest, pray for a sliver of good luck, and depart come morn."
Agyen turns to the others, stepping out of the hut. He seems uncomfortable accepting the praise of the dwarf lord.
[i]"My contribution was closer to lacklustre than I would have liked. But I supported with magic, and that did bring aid."[/b]
"I too would remain here. The land would be little safer in the dark. And we have strength yet should the undead return."
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The night goes on without incident...
Until, thirty minutes later, the sound of scraping and scratching earth comes from the mound’s northwestern flank. Dwarven howls of rage and shock arise, and you quickly see the source of their outrage. Down in their makeshift cemetery, weapon haft markers fall aside as clawed hands emerge from the fresh graves and the horribly animated corpses of the fallen dwarves rise from their resting places.
Gorrak, Glomi, Bruitt, Kargesh, Romni, Ragnar, Thulbine, and Bereg cry out in rage, hefting their hammers and charging down the battlement hill to destroy their violated kinsmen!
The undead dwarves complete their climb from the grave. To the southwest, five more undead, hidden within the large pile of shattered bone and weaponry, explode from their position and close in to flank the dwarves.
___________________________
Agyen: 45/45
Cornu: 44/44
Fenris: 89/99
Iyon: 66/67
Rurik: 57/60
Ulave: 53/55
(no surprise round)
"Once again into the fray.", says Agyen with all of the enthusiasm of someone announcing dinner.
Once again, he draws magics to shroud himself in holy fear and moves to where he can see more clearly.
More clearly than staring at a wall at least.
Archon's Aura
Magic Vestment (from first fight - seven hour total duration)
Sooo.. Cornu opens red eyes When Ulave, a paladin, stubbornly sworn to eradicate all undead from the wastes, tells us to run because he's afraid of more undead hordes...well
Ammonis casts mirror image upon his body.
The Thane awakens with a roar, casting a glance at the marching dwarven corpses. "Oh, ye wretch!", he quickly lifts his hammer, dashing to stand to the side of his warriors. "I'll put ye back where ye belong!"
Double Move/run to current position, trying to draw attention from the rest of the dwarves.
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Restless, Ulave stood up and looked out over the lip of their encampment at the graves below. Nothing moved, but for wisps of fog curling up like fingers from the damp earth. He sighed. He did not have the power to sanctify the ground, and he felt that his Lady was far away. Nevertheless, he unrolled his prayer blanket and knelt in prayer, beseeching the Goddess for guidance and for courage, and perhaps some small favor. She did not answer.
Getting up, Ulave put another log on the fire, and sat warming his hands. What could he do? Opening up his back, he went through his meagre belongings. He had one potion, which the seller had told him would give him the strength of a bull. He set that one aside, he would use it should they be attacked again this night.
Next, he pulled out a strange sack about the size of a large stone. It was cool and squishy. A tanglefoot bag. He'd used one once, before he was a paladin, to escape from a country tavern where he had been romancing the sheriff's daughter. He gave a small laugh. She had had lovely golden hair, and enjoyed hearing about how he had outwitted and outfought the lawmen of Dinghm. Or he had thought anyway, because after several drinks, and a kiss or two, her father and his men grabbed him from behind, cuffing and kicking him. Yet, he was young, and stronger then. Breaking free, he had leaped over the table, and out through an open window, with a bottle of fine bourbon in his hands, no less. He had to run for it then, and only made it because of the bag his old friend the ranger had given him on his fifteenth. He had made a good story of it at the fire later that day with his rough companions, drinking bourbon and deer meat.
On the bottom of his pack, were three bottles of alchemists fire, made safe for carrying. He had never really trusted that these were safe to carry, but had anyway, in case he ever found a need to use them, to burn something... These he also made ready, and carried over to Ammonis, who sat rubbing his neck muttering darkly at his bird.
Ammonis, I fear that we will not find peace this night. Difficult to imagine that the stench of those carrion bugs might be forgotten, yet that was only this afternoon. I know that you have powerful magics, but this day has been long, very long, and we have fought four battles already today. Perhaps you have only a few spells left, or would save them for the most dire need. Thus, I offer you these. Ulave points at the three bottles of alchemists fire. If some evil comes again to disturb our rest this night, perhaps you can find use for them. Maybe your bird can drop them from the sky.
Afterwards, Ulave slowly circles the encampment, wondering about this place, and what the dwarves were seeking. He did not understand them, nor their reckless self-confidence. And despite his commitment to seek out and destroy the undead, he did not desire to end his life and his mission in defense of what he knew not, against what he knew not, in a position not of his choosing. They had survived, mostly unharmed this night; and yet he could not believe that such a host of undead would not portend the arrival of some greater evil. The road. Did I not counsel that we stay on the road. That we learn from those who have survived in these lands. Perhaps I am a coward, but I have lived the life of an outlaw, and traveled the hills with the ranger Galin. And I have felt the cold hand of undeath. Yes, I have learned caution.
So saying to himself, Ulave fell deeper and deeper into the darkness of fear and despair, until he stopped, and sank to his knees, staring blankly at the soil at his feet, and thinking one long dark thought that had no beginning and no end, until he was as cold as ice, and numb.
And then the clouded sky breaks open to show the moon, and beneath him, the dull glint of a coin, ancient and dirty. Ulave picks it up, spitting and rubbing away its blemish. Slowly, Ulave holds it up to the light. There he saw, his Lady dressed in armor, with shield, and spear, her foot on the head of the undead king Heliogu. And he wept.
Ulave fires arrows at the two nearest flanking undead.
Cornu Ammonis stares out across the fields looking for a real threat.